With more people now living in urban areas than not, the rise of the city has been powerful. Today, there are 33 megacities. These are cities with more than 10 million people living in them. Not only that, by 2030 there will be six more.

With economies heavily based on the oil industry, countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are looking to international tourists for new ways of making cash. The city destinations ranking is focused on the Middle East and North Africa. That’s all set to change though, as new air routes will mean more travel across Africa.

Most visited cities in Africa and the Middle East

1. Dubai, UAE

2. Mecca, Saudi Arabia

3. Johannesburg, South Africa

4. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

5. Cairo, Egypt

6. Jerusalem, Israel

7. Dammam City, Saudi Arabia

8. Tel Aviv, Israel

9. Marrakech, Morocco

10. Abu Dhabi, UAE

The report also shows that different countries are targeting tourists in unique ways. Mecca, for example, is trying to make travel easier for religious tourists by smartphone apps.

As for Dubai? It’s one of the most innovative cities in the world. The city has smart palms on its beaches, and successful tests of flying taxis. The city’s 2030 transport plan also includes separate lanes for driverless buses in the city.